Thursday, September 27, 2012

Love Flowing Out in Little Gentlenesses

(J.R. Miller,
"Daily
Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)"I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water
in My name because you belong to Christ--will certainly not
lose his reward!" Mark 9:41

It seems indeed astonishing--that
God should keep note of
such a little thing, as the giving of a cup of water to
a thirsty Christian. It shows how dear to Him His people
are--since the smallest things done to one of
them--He accepts, remembers, and rewards.

The mention here of the giving of a cup of water suggests that
this promise is for little, commonplace acts--rather
than for great showy deeds. We are too stingy with our
helpfulness. God has put His gifts of love into our
hearts--not to be kept locked up and useless--but to be given
out. We would call a man selfish--who would refuse a cup of
water to one who was thirsty; yet many of us do this
continually. It is the heart which 'thirsts'--and the
'water' we refuse to give, is human kindness.

Kindness
is just the word for these small acts. Kindness
is simply love flowing out in
little gentlenesses. We ought to live our
lives--so that they will be perpetual blessings
wherever we go. All that we need for such a ministry--is
a heart full of love for Christ; for if we truly love
Christ--we shall also love our fellow-men; and love will
always find ways of helping. A heart filled with
gentleness--cannot be miserly of its blessings.